persistent
adjective
per·sis·tent
pər-ˈsi-stənt 
-ˈzi-
1
: existing for a long or longer than usual time or continuously: such as
a
: retained beyond the usual period
a persistent leaf
b
: continuing without change in function or structure
persistent gills
c
: effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing
mustard gas is persistent
d
: degraded only slowly by the environment
persistent pesticides
e
: remaining infectious for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation
persistent viruses
2
a
: continuing or inclined to persist in a course
b
: continuing to exist despite interference or treatment
a persistent cough
has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years
persistently
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of persistent in a Sentence
Contrary to persistent myth, Hoover was an activist.
—
Steve Forbes, Forbes, 30 June 2008
The high-water mark of such truckling might be the publication of the Cato Institute report "America's Record Trade Deficit: A Symbol of Strength." Freedom had become slavery; persistent deficits had become economic power.
—Eric Janszen, Harper's, February 2008
The silence started from your end just about the time you said good-bye to dear St. Elizabeth and it has been constant and persistent ever since.
—Archibald Macleish, letter, 11 July 1959
We were nagged by a persistent salesman.
He is one of the government's most persistent critics.
She has been persistent in pursuing the job.
He has been fighting a persistent cold.
Flooding has been a persistent problem in the area this year.
Persistent rumors that the business is for sale have alarmed the staff.
Steve Forbes, Forbes, 30 June 2008
The high-water mark of such truckling might be the publication of the Cato Institute report "America's Record Trade Deficit: A Symbol of Strength." Freedom had become slavery; persistent deficits had become economic power.
—Eric Janszen, Harper's, February 2008
The silence started from your end just about the time you said good-bye to dear St. Elizabeth and it has been constant and persistent ever since.
—Archibald Macleish, letter, 11 July 1959
We were nagged by a persistent salesman.
He is one of the government's most persistent critics.
She has been persistent in pursuing the job.
He has been fighting a persistent cold.
Flooding has been a persistent problem in the area this year.
Persistent rumors that the business is for sale have alarmed the staff.
Recent Examples on the Web
The family includes 5,000 compounds, which are persistent, remaining both in the environment and human body over time.
—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2024
Gusty winds are persistent even into the weekend, but the showers depart.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The error was so persistent that the California Student Aid Commission partnered with CSU, the University of California and the California Community Colleges chancellor’s office to offer an alternative financial aid application for students from mixed-status households.
—Molly Gibbs, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
Research by two Stanford economists, Neale Mahoney and Ryan Cummings, has shown that the impact of inflation on consumer sentiment is persistent, with the negative effect of prior increases in the inflation rate decaying at a rate of about fifty per cent a year.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2024
Chronic pain, persistent discomfort, and feeling lousy are not normal.
—Dr. Sharon Malone, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
The guide offers examples of racists tropes and stereotypes that have been persistent for Latino characters in mainstream film and TV.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
The delay in the council’s formation and the persistent doubts about its viability are slowing down other initiatives.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Economists blamed this wage-price spiral for persistent inflation and economic stagnation in Western economies in the 1970s, and worries about this happening again persist in many countries.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 1 Apr. 2024
Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2024
Gusty winds are persistent even into the weekend, but the showers depart.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The error was so persistent that the California Student Aid Commission partnered with CSU, the University of California and the California Community Colleges chancellor’s office to offer an alternative financial aid application for students from mixed-status households.
—Molly Gibbs, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
Research by two Stanford economists, Neale Mahoney and Ryan Cummings, has shown that the impact of inflation on consumer sentiment is persistent, with the negative effect of prior increases in the inflation rate decaying at a rate of about fifty per cent a year.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2024
Chronic pain, persistent discomfort, and feeling lousy are not normal.
—Dr. Sharon Malone, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
The guide offers examples of racists tropes and stereotypes that have been persistent for Latino characters in mainstream film and TV.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
The delay in the council’s formation and the persistent doubts about its viability are slowing down other initiatives.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Economists blamed this wage-price spiral for persistent inflation and economic stagnation in Western economies in the 1970s, and worries about this happening again persist in many countries.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'persistent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near persistent
Cite this Entry
“Persistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persistent. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
persistent
adjective
per·sis·tent
pər-ˈsis-tənt
-ˈzis-
1
: continuing, existing, or acting for a long or longer than usual time
a persistent cold
persistent gills
2
: stubbornly determined
persistently
adverb
Medical Definition
persistent
adjective
per·sis·tent
-tənt
1
: existing or continuing for a long time: as
a
: effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing
mustard gas is persistent
b
: degraded only slowly by the environment
persistent pesticides
c
: remaining infectious for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation
persistent viruses
2
: continuing to exist despite interference or treatment
a persistent cough
has been in a persistent vegetative state for two years
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